Smoking Pipe

ABSTRACT

The invention comprises an improved smoking device or pipe. The invention further comprises a smoking pipe comprising a first pipe portion extending between a first end and a second end of the smoking pipe, the first pipe portion comprising an intake portion proximal to the first end and an output portion at a the second end, the first pipe portion further comprising a first mating element. The invention even further comprises a second pipe portion comprising a bowl portion at a first end and an output portion at the second end, the second pipe portion comprising a second mating element. The invention even further comprises that the first mating element and second mating element may axially engage so that the first pipe portion may join to the second pipe portion. The invention even further comprises a pipe having an axial division whereby a user may access and easily clean the inner shaft of the stem of the pipe. The invention may further comprise a pipe with a chamber and an upper portion of the stem that may be separated from a base of the pipe.

Related Application

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/902,631 filed on Sep. 19, 2020 and entitled “Smoking Pipe,” the entire contents of which are hereby fully incorporated herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises an improved smoking device or pipe. The invention further comprises a two-piece pipe having a mating structure capable of extracting a bowl portion from a base of the pipe. The invention even further comprises a pipe having an axial division whereby a user may access and easily clean the inner shaft of the stem of the pipe. The invention may further comprise a pipe with a chamber and an upper portion of the stem that may be separated from a base of the pipe.

Field of the Invention

The present invention specifically relates to apparatuses for smoking combustible matter.

Description of Related Art

Tobacco pipes have long been utilized for smoking, and recently other plant matter has been popularized in addition to tobacco. Pipes known in the art typically have a chamber or bowl, stem, and mouthpiece. Many tobacco pipes are separable in a transverse plane at some point of the stem, with structures known as a mortise and tenon, that transition to the mouthpiece. Other pipes have detachable bowls that singularly screw or may be removed from the base for cleaning of the bowl.

Other pipe solutions have too many components, are unable to provide access to maintenance of the bowl, inner chamber, shank and other internal areas, or require great amounts of time, tools and care to do so. There remains a need for a pipe that is easily maintained. There further remains a need for a pipe with access to its inner chamber. The remains a need for a multi-piece pipe that is capable of being secured without use of tools. There remains even further a need for a solution for a pipe that is easily cleaned in each and every portion of its inner chambers. There remains a further need to separate the bowl for cleaning while the bowl remains superheated from use. There remains a further need to be able to reduce the time/labor of cleaning a tobacco pipe without then need for supplies and tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objects were met with the present invention. In one embodiment, the present invention discloses a smoking pipe comprising a first pipe portion extending between a first end and a second end of the smoking pipe, the first pipe portion comprising an intake portion proximal to the first end and an output portion at a the second end, the first pipe portion further comprising a first mating element; a second pipe portion comprising a bowl portion at a first end and an output portion at the second end, the second pipe portion comprising a second mating element; whereby the first mating element and second mating element may axially engage so that the first pipe portion may join to the second pipe portion, the smoking pipe of further comprising an elastomeric band for constricting the first pipe portion onto the second pipe portion; the first pipe portion and second pipe portion as joined together defining an internal chamber extending between the bowl portion and the second end; the second pipe portion comprising a draught hole at the base of the bowl portion; the first pipe portion further comprising a first perimeter at an interfacing side of the first portion, the first mating element being disposed at the first perimeter ; the second pipe portion further comprising a second perimeter at a interfacing side of the second portion, the second mating element being disposed at the second perimeter; an interior cavity of the smoking pipe, the perimeter sealing the interior chamber, whereby all air flow must communicate between the intake portion, the draught hole and the output portion; the first pipe portion and the second pipe portion bisecting the internal chamber of the smoking pipe; the first mating element and the second element together representing a male and female mating configuration; the smoking pipe comprising a bowl attachment that may fit into the intake portion of the first pipe portion; the smoking pipe further comprising an elastomeric band constricting the first pipe portion against the second pipe portion.

In another embodiment, the invention may comprise a smoking pipe comprising a first end and a second end, the first end including a bowl portion, the second end comprising a smoke output portion, first portion of the smoking pipe and a second portion of the smoking pipe, the first portion having a mating engagement with the second portion so that the first and second portions may be engaged together to form the smoking pipe, the first and second portions further being configured to separate, the first portion and second portion defining an internal chamber of the smoking pipe, the internal chamber sealed by the engagement of the first portion to the second portion, the internal chamber being accessible when the first portion is separated from the second portion; the bowl being disposed on the first portion or the second portion; the smoking pipe further comprising a draught hole being disposed on the first portion or the second portion; the first portion being connected to the second portion by way of a hinging mechanism; the mating configuration being a friction fit between the first portion and the second portion; the smoking pipe further comprising an elastomeric band to constrict the first portion against the second portion; the smoking pipe further comprising an interior cavity, the first portion and second portion sealing the interior chamber, whereby all air flow must communicate between the intake portion, the draught hole and the output portion; the smoking pipe further comprising a bowl attachment that may fit into the intake portion of the first pipe portion;the first portion and second portion of the pipe comprising a silicone material; the first portion and second portion of the pipe comprising a silicone material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of the inventive pipe system and a view of the perimeter of a mating configuration thereof;

FIG. 2 shows a top view of an embodiment of the inventive pipe system and a view of the perimeter of the mating configuration;

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of an embodiment of first portion and second portion of the inventive pipe system;

FIG. 4 shows an axial view of an embodiment of the inventive pipe system and a view of the perimeter of the mating configuration;

FIG. 5 shows a view of the internal faces of the inventive pipe system;

FIG. 6 shows a side perspective view of an embodiment of the inventive pipe system, with a close-up rear view of the connection between the first pipe portion and the second pipe portion.

FIG. 6 shows a side perspective view of the inventive pipe system, with a top view of the first pipe portion A and a side view of the second pipe portion B.

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the inventive pipe system having another embodiment depicting a locking flap and groove connection, with the first pipe portion A shown separate from second pipe portion B.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of the inventive pipe system having another embodiment depicting a slide in groove connection, with the first pipe portion A shown separate from second pipe portion B.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of the inventive pipe system having another embodiment the invention, with a cross-section showing an interlocking, stair step connection, with the first pipe portion A shown separate from second pipe portion B.

FIG. 11 shows a side view of the inventive pipe system having another embodiment the invention, with a cross-section showing a snapping interlock connection, with the first pipe portion A shown separate from second pipe portion B.

FIG. 12 shows a view of an insert to be used with the inventive pipe system, according to embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a solution to issues with pipes in the art. First, the present invention shows a pipe that may be easily cleaned. Second, the present invention may allow the bowl portion to be separated from a nesting bowl portion, enabling a built in carburetor to allow air into the burning section of the bowl. Further, the present invention provides solutions for smoking flower products other than tobacco that may present different problems such as heavier residue and the need for more frequent, labor-intensive cleaning for multi-piece pipe configurations.

It is within the scope of invention to provide a pipe comprising one or pieces, with an accessibility to an internal cavity of the pipe.

Looking at the FIGS. 1 through 4, an embodiment of the invention may comprise a first and second pipe portion. As shown, the pipe separates into separate elements, the first and second pipe portion. The first portion and second portion may each comprise a respective first end and second end. As shown, the first ends of the first and second portions may correlate to the mouthpiece end of the pipe. In other embodiments not shown, the mouthpiece may emerge at an alternative position on the pipe. Similarly, the second ends of the first and second portion may correlate to the bowl aspect of the pipe. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-4, when mated together the first and second portions form an internal cavity of the pipe that may extend from a mouthpiece of the pipe to a bowl portion of the pipe. In this embodiment, the top portion at the first end may comprise an intake element. The intake element may comprise, as seen in FIG. 1, at its top side a ring-like opening with sidewalls that extend between the top of the first portion and the bottom of the first portion. Though the intake portion is shown as being integrally constructed with the rest of the first portion, it is within the scope of the invention to provide a form fit or other separate intake element. Other embodiments not shown in the Figures are within the scope of the invention, such as intake elements with openings of various geometric configurations, size variations and even those that may protrude upwardly from a top surface of the first portion. Side walls of the first portion may be roughly cylindrical as shown, or have other geometric configurations not illustrated according to other embodiments within the scope of the invention. The top portion may further comprise a perimeter along the lateral area of the bottom side, or portions thereof the bottom side. At the bottom surface of the bowl area, in an embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 3, a beveled portion may be positioned between the perimeter and the intake element. Beveled portion may be a curved or linear change in altitude from the bottom surface, complementary to a similar element in the second portion.

Extending between the first end to the second end, the first portion may help define a chamber of the pipe at the bottom side of the first portion, seen on the right at FIG. 3. The chamber may extend from the intake element axially through toward the mouthpiece. In this embodiment, the chamber may include curved aspects and include a change in diameter toward a stem area approaching the mouthpiece. Viewed axially in FIG. 4, the chamber of the pipe may have a cylindrical profile. In other aspects, the chamber may take on other geometric configurations, with curved and/or linear aspects. The first portion may represent a ceiling of the top of the chamber, or may include as seen in FIG. 4 the top half of the cylinder as it has been bisected. The perimeter of the first portion may include a first mating element that extends between the first and second side. In an embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-4, the first mating element may comprise a female portion is define by a curved indent along lateral portions of the first portion. The curved indent may be defined by an apex and a lower element, the apex extending laterally past the lower element of the mating portion. In other embodiments, the first mating element for the first portion may have other geometric configurations of a positive or negative mold complementary to a second mating element of the second element. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the first mating element may be position along its bottom side. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the top portion may include a transition area at the bowl portion and the mating element.

The second portion is shown from a top view in FIG. 2, including a perimeter of the second portion around a top surface of the second portion. From the first end, the second portion may comprise a bowl portion. From the perimeter at the bowl portion, the second portion may include a raised surface from the perimeter as seen in FIG. 1, and then inwardly a nesting element. The raised surface may correlate to the beveled portion of the first portion to form a complementary sealed structure. The bowl portion may include a beveled portion of the second portion, which may change in altitude from the perimeter of the bottom portion to form the top surface of the second portion. Looking further at FIGS. 1-4, the bowl portion of the second portion may comprise a nesting element. The nesting element appears in FIG. 2 as a rounded profile, such as a half sphere. Other geometric configurations of the nesting element may be available within the scope of the invention, including other curved or linear aspects. The nesting element may further comprise a draught opening that extends between the nesting element and the exterior of the pipe. The nesting element may be available for hosting the smoking media directly, with a screen that is standard in the industry, or with use of an outside container such as a glass bowl to hold the smoking media at a distance from the nesting element.

Extending from the draught hole towards the second end of the second portion, the second portion may help define a chamber of the pipe at the top side of the second portion, seen on the right at FIG. 3. The chamber may extend from the intake element axially through toward the mouthpiece. In this embodiment, the chamber may include curved aspects and include one or more changes in diameter toward a stem area approaching the mouthpiece. In FIG. 4, an embodiment of the changed diameter of the chamber can be seen, whereas the mouthpiece has a lessened diameter than chamber towards the first end of the pipe. Viewed axially in FIG. 4, the chamber of the pipe may have a cylindrical profile. In other aspects, the chamber may take on other geometric configurations, with curved and/or linear aspects. The second portion may represent a flattened basement of the bottom of the chamber, or may include as seen in FIG. 4 as the bottom half of the cylinder that has been bisected.

The perimeter may be configured with a second mating element that complements portions of the perimeter of the first portion. As seen in FIGS. 1-4, the second portion may comprise a perimeter with a male element which may mate to the bottom surface of the first portion of the pipe. In FIG. 4, the mating element of the second portion has a vertical element with a fitting element, the mating element extending axially from the second end to at least the bowl portion of the second portion.

In other embodiments of the invention, the mating elements of the first portion and the second portion may extend into the bowl portion.

Second portion may comprise an opening at the bowl portion at a lateral position of the perimeter. The external opening may communicate with the draught hole at the nesting element so that airflow may be exchanged between the nesting element, the chamber and the external opening. In other embodiments of the invention not depicted, the external opening may communicate directly with the chamber of the pipe.

Regarding the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the first portion and second may be joined in a number of techniques depending upon the mating elements of the first and second portions. As depicted in FIG. 1, the mating element proximal to the bowl portion second portion may engage at the second end of the first portion, so that the mating element of the first portion guides the mating element of the second portion as it slides to align the respective bowl portions of the first and second portions.

In other embodiments depicted in FIGS. 5 through 10, an embodiment of the invention may comprise a first pipe portion “A” having at a first end a mouthpiece and at a second end a bowl housing portion. Mouthpiece may have an opening to a stem channel that may journal between the mouthpiece and a base cavity defined in the first pipe portion “A” as illustrated generally having sidewalls and a base, resembling the lower half of the pipe. At the second end, the bowl housing portion may be configured in a shape resembling the bowl, and having an air portal that may serve as a carburetor. In other embodiments, the bowl housing portion may have other shapes with alternative geometric configurations, having linear and/or curved portions. Air portal is shown on a side of the bowl housing portion, but may be positioned in other locations of the bowl housing portion.

Second pipe portion “B” is shown in Figs as being separable from first pipe portion A but capable of easily mating with first pipe portion “A”. Second pipe portion “B” may comprise at a first end a bowl and a second end axially opposite of the bowl. The bowl may resemble a concave chamber that sits in part or wholly within the bowl housing. According to embodiments of the invention, the bowl may occupy less than the full volume of the bowl housing, creating a bowl cavity between the bowl housing and the bowl, and from which the air portal may be used to pull smoke from the bowl into the bowl cavity. In other embodiments not shown, the cavity may be irregular, having a shape not resembling a cross-section between the bowl and bowl housing. Bowl may comprise a draught hole at its base or positioned at another aspect of the bowl. A screen may be optionally utilized at the base of the bowl.

Second pipe portion may further comprise a mating configuration according to various embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5-11. Mating configuration may comprise perimeter between the first pipe portion and the second pipe portion. As seen in Fig.5, the perimeter may resemble a lip, shelf, stair-step, or any other geometric configuration that serves to create a barrier or secondary seal between the cavity and the exterior of the first and second pipe portions.

According to various embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5-11, mating configurations may comprise standalone or combined solutions as depicted, or in combinations thereof not depicted. FIG. 1 shows a band that may constrict the first pipe portion against the second pipe portion. Band is shown positioned generally in the middle portion of the pipe, though it is within the scope of the invention that band may be wider or narrower than depicted, and may be positioned more towards the first end or the second end than as depicted. Band may be comprised of an elastomeric material or others known in the art performing a similar function, such as that it may be stretched beyond the circumference of the pipe and removed so that first pipe portion may be separated from second pipe portion. Band may be utilized with any of the embodiments illustrated and described below in FIGS. 5-11.

FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment of the invention in which the first pipe portion A may be hinged with the second pipe portion B. As depicted, first pipe portion A may hinge at the first end, so that the first pipe portion cantilevers at the second end upwards, exposing the cavity created within the first and second pipe portions. In an alternative embodiment, first pipe portion A may hinge along the sidewalls of second pipe portion B, rather than at a first or second end.

FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment of the invention in which the first pipe portion A and the second pipe portion B may connect via a peg based mating configuration. As illustrated, first pipe portion A may comprise male portions that mate with female portions having a complementary position to male portions, so that first pipe portion A may seat securably upon second pipe portion B. In another embodiment, second pipe portion B may comprise male portions and first pipe portion B may comprise female portions.

FIG. 8. depicts another mating configuration in which the first pipe portion A seats upon the second pipe portion B by way of a flap and groove relationship. First pipe portion may comprise a flap or protrusion emanating from the sidewalls in a perpendicular plan. Flap may have a variety of profiles and geometric forms, including as shown in FIG. 8. As shown, flap may resemble a wing that overlaps outside of the groove or past the end of the groove, so that the flap may be retracted towards the first or second end depending upon the orientation of the flap/groove relationship. A first end of the flap may be disengaged from groove and be removed so that the first pipe portion A and second pipe portion B may be separated. The second pipe portion may comprise a groove as seen in FIG. 8 in a complementary position while second pipe portion B was in a mating configuration as first pipe portion A. In another embodiment within the scope of the invention, the flap and groove profiles may be reversed from that depicted in FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 shows yet another embodiment of the mating configuration, in which first pipe portion A may have at least one track at its sidewall. Second pipe B may have groove complementary to first pipe portion A, so that the at least one track may slide into the groove and secure the first pipe portion A to second pipe portion B. In another embodiment within the scope of the invention, the track and groove profiles may be reversed from that depicted in FIG. 9. As the track enters into the groove, the mating configuration may resemble a parabola or curved entry, so that the bowl portion facing more perpendicular at first and then as the track enters the groove fully the bowl will seat in the nested portion. The first pipe portion and second pipe portion may be oppositional materials, such as a hard and soft material in an embodiment to secure the pipe.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the mating configuration in which first pipe portion A and second pipe portion B may have interlocking portions that may snap together. Interlocking portions may be positioned about some or all of the perimeter of the first pipe portion A and second pipe portion B, within the cavity of the pipe, or at other aspects of the mating configuration. As illustrated, the interlocking portions may comprise a stair step and click divot structure, or other mechanical retention relationships known in the arts. FIG. 7 shows a similar embodiment as FIG. 10, with an additional barrier. The mating configurations in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 may be deployed with other embodiments described infra.

In an embodiment of the invention, the inventive Pipe may be comprised of a silicone material or other materials known in the arts to provide flexure while being capable of being food and medical grade materials capable of sterilization. First pipe portion and second pipe portion may have hard and/or soft aspects, or be separated as 1) a hard silicone for one of the pipe portions and 2) a soft silicone for the other pipe portions. In other embodiments, a gasket may be utilized as a liner about the mating configuration of the pipe so that a primary seal is thusly achieved.

In another embodiment of the invention, the pipe system may include a bowl at the bowl portion of the pipe. In the embodiment of the pipe depicted in FIGS. 1-4, the bowl may be positioned from the top side of the first portion and into the intake element. The bowl may engage at the top surface of the first portion. The bowl may further engage along the portions of the sidewalls of the intake. In some embodiments, the bowl has one or more openings to enable the passage of smoke from the bowl, through the draught hole, and into the chamber. In still other embodiments, the base of the bowl may be positioned so that a gap exists between the base of the bowl and the nesting area of the second portion.

While the present invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments set forth above, many alternatives, modifications and other variations thereof will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. All such alternatives, modifications and variations are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A smoking pipe comprising a first pipe portion extending between a first end and a second end of the smoking pipe, the first pipe portion comprising an intake portion proximal to the first end and an output portion at a the second end, the first pipe portion further comprising a first mating element; a second pipe portion comprising a bowl portion at a first end and an output portion at the second end, the second pipe portion comprising a second mating element; whereby the first mating element and second mating element may axially engage so that the first pipe portion may join to the second pipe portion.
 2. The smoking pipe of claim 1 further comprising an elastomeric band for constricting the first pipe portion onto the second pipe portion.
 3. The smoking pipe of claim 1, the first pipe portion and second pipe portion as joined together defining an internal chamber extending between the bowl portion and the second end.
 4. The smoking pipe of claim 3, the second pipe portion comprising a draught hole at the base of the bowl portion.
 5. The smoking pipe of claim 4, the first pipe portion further comprising a first perimeter at an interfacing side of the first portion, the first mating element being disposed at the first perimeter ; the second pipe portion further comprising a second perimeter at a interfacing side of the second portion, the second mating element being disposed at the second perimeter; an interior cavity of the smoking pipe, the perimeter sealing the interior chamber, whereby all air flow must communicate between the intake portion, the draught hole and the output portion.
 6. The smoking pipe of claim 5, the first pipe portion and the second pipe portion bisecting the internal chamber of the smoking pipe.
 7. The smoking pipe of claim 1, the first mating element and the second element together representing a male and female mating configuration.
 8. The smoking pipe of claim 1, comprising a bowl attachment that may fit into the intake portion of the first pipe portion.
 9. The smoking pipe of claim 1 further comprising an elastomeric band constricting the first pipe portion against the second pipe portion.
 10. A smoking pipe comprising: a first end and a second end; the first end including a bowl portion, the second end comprising a smoke output portion; a first portion of the smoking pipe and a second portion of the smoking pipe; the first portion having a mating engagement with the second portion so that the first and second portions may be engaged together to form the smoking pipe, the first and second portions further being configured to separate; the first portion and second portion defining an internal chamber of the smoking pipe, the internal chamber sealed by the engagement of the first portion to the second portion, the internal chamber being accessible when the first portion is separated from the second portion.
 11. The smoking pipe in claim 10, the bowl being disposed on the first portion or the second portion.
 12. The smoking pipe in claim 10 further comprising a draught hole being disposed on the first portion or the second portion.
 13. The smoking pipe in claim 10, the first portion being connected to the second portion by way of a hinging mechanism.
 14. The smoking pipe in claim 10, the mating configuration being a friction fit between the first portion and the second portion.
 15. The smoking pipe in claim 10 further comprising an elastomeric band to constrict the first portion against the second portion.
 16. The smoking pipe in claim 12 further comprising an interior cavity, the first portion and second portion sealing the interior chamber, whereby all air flow must communicate between the intake portion, the draught hole and the output portion.
 17. The smoking pipe of claim 1, comprising a bowl attachment that may fit into the intake portion of the first pipe portion.
 18. The smoking pipe of claim 1, the first portion and second portion of the pipe comprising a silicone material.
 19. The smoking pipe of claim 10, the first portion and second portion of the pipe comprising a silicone material. 